Two Worlds, Two Lives

CHAPTER 2: Paint Brush

TWENTY-ONE YEARS AGO

She pushed the glass swing door of the grocery store open. Sarah stepped out into the bright sunlight, her arms laden with bags of fresh produce and pantry staples. She carefully navigated the sidewalk, her eyes fixed on the path ahead as she tried to avoid any obstacles.

As she turned the corner, she didn't notice the elderly woman standing in front of her, lost in thought. Sarah's bags bumped into the woman, causing her to stumble slightly. The woman's eyes widened as she grasped Sarah's arm to steady herself.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes locking onto the woman's concerned face. "Are you okay?"

The woman smiled and nodded, her eyes twinkling with kindness. "I'm fine, dear. Just a bit lost in thought. You're expecting a baby, aren't you?"

Sarah's hands instinctively went to her belly, a smile spreading across her face. "Yes, I'm due in a few months. My first baby."

The woman's face lit up with a warm smile. "Congratulations! Enjoy every moment, dear. It goes by so fast."

As they stood there, Sarah felt a sense of connection with this stranger. "Thank you," she said, smiling. "I will."

With a gentle pat on the arm, the woman nodded and continued on her way, leaving Sarah to proceed. As she took a step she felt something under her feet, she looked down and saw a paint brush. She turned to call the old woman. "Excuse me", she shouted loud enough to draw the attention of the old woman and people on the sidewalk.

She walked to the old, "you left this..... it dropped on the ground", she said. "Thank you", the old woman said smiling, took the brush and it sparkled. "Here you should have this", the woman gave Sarah a little box, Sarah opens it. Inside it was a small sketch painting folded in the box, Sarah closed the box and gave it to the old woman, "I'm sorry, I can't accept this". "No my child you can, it's an appreciation gift for returning my treasured paint brush", she said smiling.

"thanks so much", Sarah said

"You're welcome dear, you should get going, the sunlight isn't good for your baby",

"Sure", Sarah said smiling while the old woman nods. And Sarah left.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

The city lights twinkled like stars as the night descended over the concrete streets. Kai, a 16-year-old high school student, was driven home from a friend's house when he saw her. She was an old woman, dressed in tattered clothes, standing on the corner with a cardboard sign that read "Hungry and Homeless, Please Help." Kai had seen people like her before, but something about this woman's eyes struck a chord. He couldn't just drive by.

He asked his chauffeur to pull over and got out of the car, walking back to the woman. "Ma'am, can I help you with something?" he asked, feeling a bit awkward. The streetlights cast long shadows on the sidewalk, and the sound of passing cars filled the air.

The woman looked up at him, her eyes welling up with tears. "Just some food or money would be nice, young man," she said, her voice shaking. Kai rummaged through his pockets and found some cash, which he handed to her. "Here, take this. It's not much, but maybe it can help."

The woman's face lit up with gratitude, and she reached into her bag, pulling out a small paintbrush. "I don't have much to give you in return, but this was my daughters favorite brush. She was a painter. I want you to have it." Kai took the brush, feeling a sense of wonder. "Thank you, ma'am. This means a lot to me."

"You're a good kid. Don't forget to paint your dreams." Kai smiled and watched as she disappeared into the shelter. As he drove away, Kai glanced at the paintbrush in his hand.The paintbrush has a slender handle made of wood or possibly another material, and its bristles are soft and fine, perfect for delicate strokes. At the ferrule, where the bristles meet the handle, a small blue stone is set into the metal edge, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the brush's design. The blue stone sparkles in the light, catching the eye and drawing attention to the craftsmanship of the brush.

Feeling a sense of pride and purpose. He looked at the brush more closely, noticing the intricate details and the way the bristles felt between his fingers.

**** ****

The dawning light was replaced with dark night. It was night, the wind was cool. Thunder and lightning striking in the sky.

The Walterson family said their prayers to have dinner. The clinking of cutlery echoes loud with the wind. "I think it's going to rain", Martin said, Sarah's husband. "Yeah I think so too. I'll go get us water to drink". Sarah strode past her husband as he smacks her butt, "seriously?", both giggled.

When she got to the kitchen, the wild wind hits her face unawares, she turns her face to grip the counter not to stumble due to pregnancy. Sarah locked the window, went to get water from the refrigerator with cups and dropped it on the counter.

She stretches her hands up to the cabinet to grab the wine she bought from her grocery shopping to celebrate her husband's promotion. Her pregnancy water broke out unknowingly. When she realized the wine fell from her hands, suddenly she was in labor.

Martin rushed into the kitchen when he heard the broken sound of bottle. He found Sarah helplessly leaning towards the counter. Martin supported her into the car.